Alexis Pritchard-Todd - Female Boxers Make Commonwealth History

Women’s boxing features at the Commonwealth Games for the very first time this July and two of New Zealand’s top female fighters will be there.

Olympian Alexis Pritchard will be joined by 20-year-old Magan Maka in a seven-strong boxing team that also includes teenage super heavyweight Patrick Mailata (91+kg) and Canterbury welterweight Bowyn Morgan (69kg). The team was named by the New Zealand Olympic Committee today.

Pritchard, who finished fifth in the 60kg class at the London Olympic Games in 2012 and is ranked number two in the Commonwealth, says the inclusion of women’s fighting on the Commonwealth Games programme is a huge step for the sport.

“I feel really honoured and proud to be part of the first group of women making history,” she said on her selection today.

“Women have fought hard in the ring for many years and it is recognition of this. It’s an absolute positive for boxing in New Zealand and around the world.”

Pritchard added that the calibre of boxers at Glasgow will be high but a podium finish is in her sights.

“For me, Glasgow is about building on my experience in London. I learned a lot in that elite environment and now I want to keep moving forward and finish with a medal in Glasgow. “England’s Natasha Jonas who is the Commonwealth number one is the fighter to beat,” she added.

Original article from commonwealthgames.kiwi

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